Daily traffic in Belmore Street in 2020, between Piper and Orr Street, would be reduced by around 5500 vehicles per day, should the green route be chosen for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge, according to VicRoads.

But at the same time, daily traffic in Piper Street and McNally Street would increase by approximately 3050 and 3550 vehicles per day, respectively.

Traffic modelling, projected figures and access options all form part of information VicRoads has released on each of the proposed routes for the new Yarrawonga Mulwala bridge.

Each of the shortlisted routes, yellow, grey and green, has a list of key features and considerations and traffic flow estimates based on 2020 vehicle volumes.

These elements were identified based on the ‘B’ traffic connection which would see vehicles move along Irvine Parade (where necessary for the yellow and grey routes) before utilising a new road to be built on railway land and connect with the Murray Valley Highway in line with Benalla Road.

VicRoads Regional Director Bryan Sherritt said last week the ‘B’ connection was considered to be the best option and for traffic connection and option ‘C’ – which would send traffic from the grey route directly down Belmore Street – was no longer considered to be a viable option.

The information forms part of the latest and final round of community consultation which began last week.

Green Route

According to VicRoads the green route would;

reduce through-traffic and reduce congestion in Belmore Street,

provide an alternative freight route from Belmore Street,

improve access to the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort and open up views on the western end of Lake Mulwala.

The green route would also;

increase environmental impacts such as noise, pollution and congestion to residents in Piper and McNally streets,

significantly increase traffic on those streets as they would be the only road connections from the bridge route to Belmore Street (Irvine Parade will not provide connection to Belmore Street),

increase environmental impact (noise and pollution) due to trucks negotiating the intersection of Melbourne Street and Gulai Road,

significantly increase traffic on Gulai Road.

VicRoads said the green route would reduce connectivity for residents east of Belmore Street travelling to Mulwala, provide the longest travel route for pedestrians and cyclists between Melbourne Street and Belmore Street and reduced direct access to Yarrawonga foreshore due to the crossing being further away.

Grey Route

Traffic modelling for the grey route suggests daily traffic flow in Belmore Street in 2020, between Piper and Orr Street, would be reduced by around 3400 vehicles.

Daily traffic volumes in Piper Street would increase by approximately 150 vehicles and in McNally Street increase by around 100 vehicles.